Trump's backchannel claim falls apart as IRGC drops blunt response and 60-day plan expires
TEHRAN, IRAN: President Donald Trump's claim that back-channel talks were underway with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to reach a peace deal fell apart within hours as the IRGC denied any such arrangement.
IRGC’s denial comes as the 60-day window for peace talks closes without a concrete plan to end the war, igniting concerns about whether the parties are even in talks.
IRGC calls Trump's back-channel talks claim a lie
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump reveals there is a BACK CHANNEL to IRGC officials in Iran
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 17, 2026
"There is a back channel with the IRGC. These are the hard line officials inside of Iran and that the United States and officials in Washington are speaking DIRECTLY with IRGC officials in… pic.twitter.com/JX3w1j0xcS
An IRGC spokesperson on Monday, August 17, said that there are currently no back-channel talks between the United States and Iran.
Earlier today, Trump told Fox News that his administration had established a direct backchannel with the IRGC.
Trump said that he was in no hurry to reach any deal with Iran, even as the 60-day window for an agreement between the parties closed on Monday without any announcement of a concrete deal.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied any talks with US officials after President Donald Trump said his administration had established a direct backchannel with the force, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, citing spokesperson Hossein Mohebi.… pic.twitter.com/IIJg6tQcNE
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) August 17, 2026
An IRGC spokesperson told Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency that Trump’s claim was a “lie” and “nothing more than fantasies” driven by what the spokesperson described as defeat and desperation in the war.
The spokesperson also said diplomacy does not fall under the IRGC’s responsibilities.
“As far as we are aware, and based on statements by Foreign Ministry officials, there are currently no talks with the Americans even at that level, given Washington’s broken promises and its long record of repeatedly violating its commitments,” the agency cited the IRGC spokesperson as saying.
Trump said he is in talks with the IRGC
In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump confirmed that US officials had been communicating directly with IRGC officials.
He also maintained that Iran must ultimately accept his demand that it cannot have nuclear weapons.
“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” Trump said, referring to the IRGC.
The backchannel reportedly involved Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, who was used as an intermediary because of his relationships with both American and Iranian officials.
60-day ceasefire window closed Monday
The 60-day ceasefire window was reached through a Memorandum of Understanding, with both parties agreeing to work on a permanent ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The planned timeline expired on Monday.
Despite the deadline, Trump said he had no fixed timetable for reaching an agreement.
Trump also rejected the idea that November’s midterm elections were influencing his approach to the conflict, saying, “Midterms have nothing to do with my thinking.”
